Golf putter having adjustable center of gravity

ABSTRACT

A golf putter, which is weighted with a positionable weight by means of which the center of gravity of the putter can be changed to accommodate the requirements of the user. This result is achieved by a weight, which can be slidably positioned along a pair of rods, which run between the faceplate and the back plate of the putter. The plate can be positioned slidably along the rods either against the faceplate or back plate or at any position there between. When the weight has been placed in the desired position, it can be locked in this position by screws, which fit through the weight and abut against the rods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a golf putter with a positional weight andmore particularly to such a putter in which the center of gravity can bereadily changed to accommodate the requirements of the user.

2. Description of the Related Art

Prior art devices for adjusting the center of gravity of a putter aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,869 issued on Oct. 19, 1993 to Dingleet al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,667 issued on Mar. 3, 1981 to Clark; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,571,053 issued Nov. 5, 1996 to Lane. The Lane patentdescribes the use of weighting bolts, which are positioned on oppositeends of the putter head and thus only are capable of providing lateralweighting adjustment. The Clark patent describes weighting to the rearof the faceplate of the putter involving a compartment filled withvarious amounts of shot. However, while the amount of weighting of theputter to the rear of the putter head can be varied by changing theamount of shot, the device of this invention describes weighting to therear of the faceplate of the putter by employing a compartment filledwith various amounts of shot. However, while the amount of weighting ofthe putter to the rear of the putter head can be varied by changing theamount of shot, opposite ends of the putter head and thus only arecapable of providing lateral weighting adjustment. The Clark patentdescribes weighting to the rear of the faceplate of the putter involvinga compartment filled with various amounts of shot. However, while theamount of weighting of the putter to the rear of the putter head can bevaried by changing the amount of shot, the device of this invention doesnot enable changing the position of the center of gravity in the mannerof the present invention. The Dingle patent is the closest to thepresent invention in that it provides bolts mounted to the rear of theputter face, the weight of which can be varied by changing the number ofwashers attached to each bolt. The device of this invention, however,does not provide the simplicity of adjustment of the present inventionand requires the adjustment of three separate bolts to achieve thedesired result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The improved result in Applicant's invention is achieved by means of aweight, which is slidable along rods positioned to the rear of thefaceplate of the putter. The weight can be moved to a position towardsor away from the faceplate to the desired weighting position and thenlocked in this position by means of screws or other temporary lockingdevice.

In this manner, the center of gravity of the putter can rapidly andeasily be adjusted either to a forward position suited to the needs ofthe golfer to provide a more forceful impact for slower green surfacesor to a rearward position to provide a less forceful impact for fastergreen surfaces. These adjustments can also be made to suite the golfer'sgrip, tempo and putting mechanics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention showing the adjustable weight in a central position;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective of the preferred embodiment showing theadjustable weight in a central position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment showingthe weight in its most forward position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment showingthe weight in its central position; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment showingthe weight in its rearward position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, faceplate 11 has a pair of rods 12 and 13fixedly attached thereto either by welding, screws, or other suitablemeans. Back plate 14 is integrally formed with the faceplate 11. Centralpiece 15. are relatively narrow runs between the faceplate and the backplate and is integrally formed therewith.

The rear ends of rods 12 and 13 are fitted within receptacles 17 formedin back plate 14 and fixedly attached thereto by welding, threadedengagement or other suitable means.

Weight member 18 has apertures 18 a running there through, The rods 12and 13 are fitted through these apertures to enable slidable motion ofthe weight member on the rods. Weight member 18 is in the form of arectangular block. The bottom surface of the putter is substantiallyT-shaped as can be seen in FIG. 2. Weight member 18 can be positioned ina central position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a rearward position asshown in FIG. 5, a forward position, as shown in FIG. 3 or any positionbetween these positions. When the weight member is in the desiredposition, it is locked in this position by means of screws 19.

The weight member thus can be rapidly and easily be set in the desiredposition in accordance with the needs of the golfer.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it isto be understood that the coverage of this patent is determined by thefollowing claims.

1. In a golf putter having a face plate and a back plate; a centralpiece extending between the bottom edges of said faceplate and said backplate; at least one rod connected between the faceplate and the backplate, said rod being attached to said faceplate and back plate; aweight member slidably mounted on said rod, said weight member beingpositionable along said rod at a chosen position between said face plateand said back plate, and means for locking said weight member to saidrod in said chosen position.
 2. The golf putter of claim 1 wherein saidputter includes two rods spaced from each and connected to the faceplateand back plate.
 3. The golf putter of claim 2 wherein said rods arefixedly attached to said faceplate and said back plate.
 4. The golfputter of claim 1 wherein said means for locking said weight member insaid chosen position are screws, which threadably engage the weightmember and are tightened against said rods.
 5. The golf putter of claim1 wherein said central piece is relatively narrow as compared with thewidths of said faceplate and back plate.
 6. In golf club having afaceplate and a back plate, said club comprising: a central pieceintegrally formed with said faceplate and back plate, said central piecerunning between the bottom edges of said faceplate and back plate andbeing substantially narrower than both said faceplate and back plate; apair of rods running between said faceplate and said back plate, saidrods being spaced from each other in substantially parallelrelationship; a weight member slidably supported; on said rods, saidweight member having paired apertures formed there through, said rodmembers running through said weight members in slidable relationshipthereto; and means for maintaining said weight member in any selectedposition on said rods.
 7. The golf club of claim 6 wherein said meansfor maintaining said weight member in any selected position comprisesscrews which each threadably engage said weight member and abut againsta respective one of said rods.
 8. The golf club of claim 6 wherein saidrods are fixedly attached to said faceplate and said back plate.
 9. Thegolf club of claim 6 wherein said weight member is in the form of arectangular block.
 10. The golf club of claim 6 wherein the bottomsurface thereof is substantially T-shaped.
 11. The golf club of claim 6wherein said golf club is a putter.